2025 SAPICS Conference goes green

The 2025 SAPICS Conference will be the greenest yet, integrating sustainability into both discussions and event execution.

Supply chain sustainability is one of the most important topics on the agenda at this year’s 47^th annual SAPICS Conference, the leading event in Africa for the supply chain profession. However, industry body SAPICS – which hosts the annual gathering in Cape Town in June – is doing more than just including the global sustainability imperative in the issues to be explored by expert presenters and attendees – it is ensuring that the event itself is as green and environmentally friendly as possible.

“SAPICS is truly walking the talk on supply chain sustainability at this year’s conference, with event partners that are as committed to environmental sustainability as our SAPICS supply chain community is,” says SAPICS president Thato Moloi. “We are not just learning about supply chain sustainability at the SAPICS Conference… we are living it.”

A truly green venue

Century City Conference Centre has been described as a “catalyst for climate action”. The conference venue is Cape Town’s only 4-Star Green Star-certified boutique conference centre. SAPICS has held its annual conference at Century City Conference Centre since 2017 and Moloi says the organisation is proud to have seen the facility develop and advance its green practices over the years.

Since 2023, Century City Conference Centre has achieved a 20% reduction in carbon emissions, lessening its environmental footprint and contributing to cleaner city air. An ongoing drive to integrate renewable energy has enabled the centre to meet 40% of its daily energy needs with solar and other renewable sources. Water conservation initiatives, meanwhile, have reduced the facility’s potable water usage by 30%. These initiatives include dual plumbing and the use of treated effluent water from the Potsdam wastewater treatment plant.

A focus on recycling and composting programmes has enabled Century City Conference Centre to achieve a 51% waste diversion rate. “As our natural resources dwindle and carbon emissions rise, circular supply chains are becoming more critical than ever. Century City Conference Centre’s success in diverting valuable resources out of landfills and back into the circular economy really resonates with SAPICS and our supply chain community,” emphasises Moloi.

The venue’s drive for sustainable partnerships is also aligned with SAPICS’ belief that sustainability should benefit not just the environment, but also communities. “The products and partners chosen by Century City Conference Centre reflect our shared mission to protect resources and develop local businesses. We are delighted that 60% of Century City Conference Centre’s partners are local businesses,” Moloi elaborates.

Sustainable stands

Another element of SAPICS’ sustainability drive for this year’s conference is its partnership with ExpoGuys, a stand builder that is putting the planet front and centre in its business. “ExpoGuys is a strong advocate for modular stands over one-off constructed stands, a preference rooted in sustainability,” Moloi explains.

While other products may seem eco-friendly at first glance, their lifecycle paints a completely different picture. “Biodegradable products can only be used once or twice. They also require cutting down trees and often cannot be repurposed. A modular system, on the other hand, may be made with plastic, but it can be used up to 200 times before being recycled. It is actually far more sustainable,” he continues.

ExpoGuys also offers a pioneering Sustainable Stand Grading System to help exhibitors (like those at the SAPICS Conference) understand the full environmental impact of their exhibition stands. Each stand is assessed across multiple criteria, including flooring, structure, lighting, branding, and furniture. Materials are graded based on their sustainability, with the overall stand receiving a Gold, Silver, or Platinum certification. This system raises environmental awareness among exhibiting businesses and stand designers, helping them understand the long-term cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits of sustainable stand choices.

ExpoGuys’ sustainability initiatives extend to its electrical and climate control hire services, too. “We are proud to be working with a company that is building stands sustainably and shaping the future of the exhibition industry,” Moloi says.

Eco-friendly delegate bags

This year’s conference will see SAPICS partnering with Eyako Green once more, to provide delegate bags that are eco-friendly and locally produced in programmes that create jobs, and uplift and upskill South African communities. “This inspiring supplier takes used billboards and polyester marketing waste and upcycles them into eye-catching, durable conference bags and other products,” Moloi explains. “SAPICS is delighted to be able to support them and give our delegates conference bags to treasure – because they look good and do good.”

To find out more, or to register to attend the 2025 SAPICS Conference, contact event organiser Upavon Management by emailing info@upavon.co.za or calling (+27) 11 023 6701.